A tropical storm has slammed into the western US state of California for the first time in 84 years. Record-breaking downpours triggered flooding and mudslides in dry inland areas.

Hilary developed into a hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico and turned into a tropical storm on Sunday before hitting Southern California.

The last time a tropical storm passed through California was in 1939. The state issued its first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California, including Los Angeles.

Hilary brought historic rain to Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere, marking the highest daily rainfall for August. The inland city of Palm Springs reportedly recorded more than half its annual average rainfall in one day.

It is extremely rare for the normally dry region to get such a large amount of rain in summer.

In Los Angeles, muddy water flowed into rivers that usually run dry at this time of the year. Many inland areas saw flooding, mudslides, rockfalls and downed trees.

No injuries have been reported so far, but local authorities continue to call on people to remain on the alert for mudslides and other hazards. They say the ground has been loosened by the rain.

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